Today I've had a very relaxing low key day- no work, obligations or even DH looking for lunch. I've been playing with my new to me Husqvarna #1+ (their first computerized embroidery machine) which I picked up on Kijiji (Canadian version of Craig's list) for $200. The seller was delighted to get rid of her MIL's machine as it had been sitting in a closet for ten years and she had never used it. I don't think that her MIL used it either as most of the parts were still in their sealed boxes and the books were in the unopened plastic covers. So what I have is a almost brand new machine that is about thirteen years old. I've spent all afternoon identifying the pieces and reading the instruction book for the main machine. I haven't even opened the embroidery unit yet. I'm not sure that I want to embroider but I think that I'll try it out. The seller really didn't understand what she had. She had advertised it as a newish Husqvarna and I wanted a machine to take to classes so I wouldn't have to drag my Janome 6500 out of its cabinet. I was absolutely amazed when I saw what it was. I think it sews much better than my Janome and has a great big basting stitch! My BFF says if I don't like it she will gladly trade me her Janome Gem for it so that I will have my little machine to take to class. Does anyone have this machine and do you have any tips or advice?

I have had this machine for about 18 yrs and I love it!!! If you don't want your embroidery unit I would buy it from you because mine has never worked very well. I bought mine from a dealer demo sale. Didn't even try the embroidery unit for a long time. However I do love this machine and use it all the time as my main girl!

I have a #1+ (and a Diamond and an SE) which I will never part with! The embroidery is harder than on the newer machines but for regular sewing I love it. You have all the factory settings from light to leather but can still change both tensions manually if you aren't getting the look you want. A32 is perfect for applique and you can make the stitches deeper or narrower and shorter or longer. Very versatile machine. Be careful with the removable cards, use your fingertip instead of your nail to avoid damaging the chips inside since you can't get replacements. I think you will love this machine!

congrats on your new acquisition

You have found yourself the buy of a lifetime. I bought my #1+ in Oct. 1998 for $3600. A few years ago I traded it in for a Designer SE so I could use larger embroidery hoops.

I wish now that I had kept it as a backup. It was a wonderful machine, easy to use, and problem free.

Give yourself some time to learn how to use it and I'm sure you will love it more and more.

Here is a link to a stitch chart for your machine. It will show you all of the utility and decorative stitches your new machine can do. This chart is 22 pages long...woohoo!

http://www.husqvarnaviking.com/us/HVEmb.pdf

my elderly friend has this machine and I LOVE it..hers is going to die soon but she has used it well for over 20 years...the stitches on that thing are so beautiful and perfect...sigh..wish I had one...

There is a yahoo group for this machine. It has been said that this is the best machine that Viking ever came out with and even the used ones still sell for a high price on ebay and other sites so yes, you got a great deal. I got one last year for 650 on ebay but couldn't get it to sew right. The seller had given me a two year warranty so he just had it picked up from my house and when I get it back I'm going to sell it for the same price I paid for it and I'll know it's just been serviced so it'll be a good deal. the only reason I'm selling it is that I just bought the Ruby so I won't need it. If you go into a viking shop just remember that any attachments with the 1 on it will work with your machine; that's the group it's in; mine is group 7 but most of the 1 things also works with mine. Enjoy your new machine; you got a great deal.

Thank-you for all of your comments and advice and the chart of stitches for this machine.I really appreciate your help. Tonight I am making an apron using my "new" machine and learning the basics. My daughter wants to embroider names on the dog stuff she makes so I'll get to try it all out. I'm thrilled to have found such a bargain.

Sorry for the double post. Sometimes I am just too impatient and hit send again when I just should have waited.

I pulled my embroidery unit out of the closet tonight and used it for the first time in yrs. I don't have the reader writer box for it and although some very nice people on the QB have them to sell I don't have the software either. So for now I can only stitch out the few that are in the book. It's a fun machine. You'll love it.